Well. That was not a fun email to read.
Credit: Ivan Aleksic, UnSplash
Last Monday, February 17, a Broward parent forwarded Browardist an email with a simple message: “Did you see this?”
Oh, we saw it.
The email, sent to families and staff across Broward County Public Schools, laid out what can only be described as a sobering snapshot of the district’s financial reality. Within hours, the contents were circulating publicly - including on the Concerned Citizens of Broward County Facebook page - confirming this wasn’t rumor or PTA gossip. It was very real, very official and very bleak.
In summary, for parents, teachers and taxpayers, the big numbers jump off the page: 38,000 fewer students, $352 million in lost revenue and an $80 million projected shortfall next school year. A hiring freeze. Overtime cuts. A thousand district-level positions reduced through attrition.
The district frames this as “realignment.” For many families, it reads as the latest flashing warning sign. Below is the email transcribed for further context:
Good afternoon Broward County Public Schools families and staff,
Please read the attached document outlining Broward County Public Schools Financial Realignment Plan.
The document provides an overview of the District’s current financial reality, including enrollment trends, revenue impacts, and the projected $80 million shortfall for the 2025/26 school year. It also outlines the immediate actions underway and the long-term strategies being implemented to ensure financial sustainability while protecting classroom instruction and essential services.
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[Browardist has transcribed the attachment, minus graphics, for reading ease. The full version, including graphics, may be viewed on Facebook here.]
Financial Realignment: Stabilizing Our Future
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is facing a structural financial challenge driven by declining enrollment, rising personnel costs, and a school and staffing footprint that is no longer aligned with current student counts. Over the past decade, student enrollment has declined by more than 38,000 students (since the 2017/18 school year), resulting in substantial revenue losses totaling approximately $352 million. For the 2025/26 fiscal year, the District is facing a projected $80 million budget shortfall attributable to continued enrollment declines. This figure does not account for rising expenditures related to employee benefits (healthcare and retirement), operational costs (including utilities), or the potential for further enrollment decreases. These combined factors require decisive action to ensure the District’s long-term financial stability.
Current Financial Reality (FY26)
• Total General Fund Revenue (without Charter School funding): $2.38 billion
• Personnel Costs (salary, benefits, referendum, and supplements): $1.92 billion (81% of revenue)
• Non-Personnel Costs: $488 million (21% of revenue)
Together, these expenditures exceed available revenue, driven largely by personnel costs that have not declined at the same pace as enrollment.
Immediate Actions Underway
To stabilize finances while protecting classrooms and essential services, BCPS has implemented the following measures:
• Districtwide hiring freeze, with limited exceptions for Superintendent-approved critical positions
• Out-of-county travel freeze for general fund travel
• Strict overtime limitations focused on safety and critical operational needs
• Ongoing review of contracts, staffing allocations, and purchasing practices
Realignment for Long-Term Sustainability
BCPS is implementing districtwide realignment strategies to balance spending with enrollment while maintaining academic quality, including:
• Staffing level reduction by a thousand district-level personnel through attritions and the reorganization process for the 2026/27 school year
• Reduction of district facilities footprint
• Reduction of contracts and consultant agreements
• Continued overtime reductions
• Updated district and school allocation model implementation
• Transportation efficiencies
• Leveraging technology for organizational efficiency
Our Goal
Our goal is to create a financially sustainable system that protects classroom instruction, supports frontline employees, and ensures BCPS remains a high-performing, A-rated school district. These actions reflect a commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of public resources.
